74 - The Glory of Gokarna

Mohini said: 

1. O preceptor, the narrative of Puņdarikapura recounted by you, has been heard. Kindly instruct me in the greatness of the holy centre Gokarņa. ¹ 

1. A sacred Shaiva Kşhetra, in Kumtă Tehsil of North Kanara district. It is about 30 miles south of the temple God. The NP. does not state the story how this Atmalinga of god Shiva got twisted like a cow’s ear due to Råvana’s frantic efforts to uproot it and take it to Lankå. It tells us how it was submerged in the sea-water and how sages went in deputation to Parashurama who ordered the sea-god to vacate this part of the land around Gokarna lest he should be constrained to evaporate the sea by his missiles. The seagod yielded. The story is similar to that of Dåśharathi Rāma at the time of building Setu to Lanka. 

*De, p. 161 identifies Pundarikapura with Pandupura which he regards the same as Pandharpur, the centre of Vitthala cult in Maharashtra. 

Vasu said: 

2. Listen, O Mohini, I shall recount to you the Tīrtha Gokarna, which is a holy centre of Hara; which yields merit unto men and which is destructive of all sins. 

3. O fair-complexioned lady, it is situated on the shores of the western sea. It extends to one and a half Yojanas. By its mere sight it yields salvation. 

4. When the surface of the earth was gradually dug up by the sons of Sagara, O gentle lady, the ocean increased in size and flooded the land nearby. 

5-6a. It flooded an area extending to thirty Yojanas (360 kms) inclusive of the holy centre, sacred water-reservoirs and forests. Then Devas, Asuras and human beings who had been staying there left that spot and occupied Sahya and other mountains 

6b-7a. As they pondered over the fact that the holy centre named Gokarna became hidden under the sea, the excellent sages made up their mind to reclaim it from the sea. 

7b-8. All of them who had occupied the upper ridges of the mountain consulted together. Desirous of seeing Paraśhurāma who had settled on the mountain Mahendra, O gentle lady, the excellent sages went there with the desire of reclaiming Gokarna. 

9-10. After climbing the mountain, they saw his hermitage that was pleasing in all the seasons; that was teeming with both wild ruthless animals as well as tame and domesticated ones. The whole penance-grove contained a dense growth of fruit-bearing trees in full bloom. It spread its cool shade; it was incomparable. The wind was very fragrant and pleasant. 

11. After reaching the penance-grove, they entered the hermitage that was resonant with Vedic chants. They were delighted in their minds, and they went in (in the order of their seniority in age) with the aged ones going ahead. 

12. They saw that ascetic comfortably seated in the pasture on Brahmāsana over a soft deer-skin and surrounded by disciples. 

13. They approached the sage how was the most excellent one among the descendants of Bhrugu; who was like the resplendent fire of world destruction that had become tranquil after burning the three worlds, and they saluted him humbly. 

14. On seeing those sages come, the leading scion of the family of Bhrugu, properly (with due formalities) and respectfully greeted them with Arghya, Pädya etc. 

15-16. When they were seated after the hospitality had been duly extended, the descendant of Bhřugu (Paraśhurāma) said: - “O blessed ones, welcome to you. Tell me wherefore you have come here? Confide in me. What is it that I can do for you?” Then the excellent sages told Råma why they had come. 

17. “O excellent descendant of Bhrugu, know us to be the sages residing in Gokarņa. We have been dislodged from that holy centre by the sons of Sagara who were digging the earth. 

18. O leading Brāhmaṇa, it behoves you to grant us back the excellent holy place (called Gokarņa) by means of your own power, after causing the waters of the ocean to recede”. 

19-20a. On hearing their words, the sage who had already set aside his weapons, thought over the problem. He considered that the protection of good men was righteous on his part and so took up his bow and arrows. He set off along with them. 

20b-21. Descending from the mountain Mahendra, he hastened in the direction of the South-West. Quickly crossing the mountain, he reached the sea-shore along with the residents of Gokarna. 

22. After resting there for a short while, the most eloquent sage spoke to Varuņa, the lord of aquatic animals, in a voice as resonant as thunder. 

23. “O Prachetas (Varuņa) reveal yourself to me. I am Rāma, the descendant of Bhrugu. I have come here along with the sages on a certain mission. There is an urgent task to be performed by you”. 

24. Although the lord of the aquatic animals was thus called by Rāma, and although he heard his words clearly, Varuņa, the lord of aquatic animals, out of haughtiness, did not come to Rama. 

25. When he did not come out even after being repeatedly invoked, Bhärgava (Paraśhurāma) became infuriated and seized his bow. 

26. Bhargava fixed to that bow, an arrow, the deity of which was the firegod, for drying up the lord of the rivers, the ocean. 

27. When the miraculous missile was fitted on to the bow by Bhargava of great soul, O gentle lady, the ocean became agitated. The aquatic animals were in a confused state. 

28. Scorched by the missile of Ráma, Varuņa became exceedingly frightened. Approaching him in his own personal form Varuņa grasped Rāma’s feet in reverence. 

29. Then Rāma withdrew his missile and immediately spoke to Varuņa, “O lord, let Gokarna be visible, cause your water to recede”. 

30-31a. Then at the behest of Råma, the ocean with drew the water flooding Gokarņa. After worshipping lord Shankara at the holy place called Gokarņa, Rāma went back to the mountain Mahendra. Those Brāhmaṇas however stayed there itself. 

31b-32a. All of those sages observed holy rites, performed penance and attained great bliss. They attained a state from which there was no return, thanks to his love for that holy centre. 

32b-33a. Being conscious of its greatness Shankara perpetually stays there with Bhūtas(goblins), Devas and goddess Pärvati. By visiting Mahesha (śhiva) at Gokarņa, sins are dispelled immediately like a dry leaf in a storm. 

33b-35. It is not out of compulsion that men become interested in resorting to that holy centre. All living beings mobile and immobile, that die there, immediately go to the eternal heaven. 

36. The holy place named Gokarņa by mere remembrance of which a man will become absolved of all sins, is the abode of all Tirthas. 

37. Through the vision of the deity, these men derive those benefits which they derive by taking holy bath in all other sacred places and by worshipping Sadāshiva. 

38. Those who stay there free from lust, fury etc. attain Siddhi in a short time. 

39. Those who stay there wedded to the vow of celibacy, quiescent and invariably engaged in Japas and Homas accomplish their desired Siddhis. 

40. O chaste lady, the benefit accruing from charitable gifts, Homas, Japas etc and the worship of Pitris, Devas and Brāhmaṇas at that place is a crore times more than that in other centres. 

41. Thus, O gentle lady, the greatness of the sacred place called Gokarna has been recounted to you. It dispels all sins of those who listen to and read it. * 

*The printed text of the NP. gives the introductory remark as follows: “Thus the greatness of Jyotirlinga (luminary Linga) Tryambakeśhvara is completely recounted. Henceforth, the greatness of Gokarna is being recounted.”